New York Times might not review every movie that opens in NYC, could impact Oscars

The New York Times had a policy of reviewing every new film that opens in New York city, no matter how big or small the production, or even if it was a documentary. But it turns out that the Times can no longer guarantee that any longer and it’s a move that could actually impact the Oscar race.

Variety picked up on the policy change today, but Times chief film critic A.O. Scott said on Twitter that the policy had actually been in place for awhile.

“Because of the increasing volume of new films released each year, the Times is no longer able to guarantee reviews of all New York theatrical releases,” Scott said in a statement to Variety.

While this may sound like a simple policy change that wouldn’t interest anyone outside of New York City, it can actually make a major impact on the indie film world and even at the Oscars. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences requires a documentary feature to be screened in theaters and receive a review in the Times or Los Angeles Times.

An Academy spokeswoman told Variety that it won’t actually require a rule change, unless the LA Times can no longer guarantee reviews as well.

For indie studios, it does mean that a Times review isn’t guaranteed, but Magnolia Pictures president Eamonn Bowles told Variety that he doesn’t think it will have a major impact.

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